There was never anyone quite like Sylvester. Often referred to (with apologies to the late and equally deserving Donna Summer) as “the Queen of Disco,” Sylvester possessed one of the most soaring, angelic falsettos in the history of recorded music, as he proved with dance classics such as “Do You Wanna Funk?” and “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” The entertainer, whose love of singing began as a boy in the church choir, was also openly and unapologetically gay at a time when few other performers were brave enough to sashay out of their closets. When Sylvester passed away of AIDS-related causes in 1988, the entertainer left behind a magnificent and enduring legacy of music that continues to thrill fans old and new. Among them is Broadway performer Anthony Wayne, whose credits include A Chorus Line and Pippin, who created Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, to honor the late legend. Following earlier sold-out runs in New York, Miami and WashingtonD.C., the show will open in a limited engagement at Manhattan’s The Theatre at St. Clements September 14-October 5. Wayne chatted with Queerty about his inspiration for the show and how he first discovered the iconic entertainer.

Sylvester has been gone for more than a quarter of a century. Why do you think there is still such intense interest in him?

Sylvester was one of the first during that time period to be loud and proud through any adversity. For us to look back and see how much of a trailblazer he was for many of us to have the freedom we all do today is why his legacy is remembered and celebrated.

What made him stand apart from the other performers of his era?

During his era, no one had the courage to be their real self. Sylvester lived an open and authentic life and to have the tenacity to be stand and be the true “Queen of Disco” made him stand above all the rest even though he never got the recognition for it. Now is the time to change that with Mighty Real.

Who were some of his musical influences?

Legendary divas like Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Diana Ross, to name a few.

What was your first exposure to Sylvester and what did you think of him then?

Just like many, I hadn’t heard of Sylvester since I was just born when he was at the height of his career. I was first introduced to Sylvester through a special I saw on TV. I was inspired by his story to be himself and, as I got into his music, I bought his albums and found myself singing just like him. I said to myself that someone should do something to honor the legacy of this man. It was as if God said, “You, chile!” From there, I spoke to my partner, Kendrell Bowman, about the idea and we put our minds together to create Mighty Real. This incredible show tells his life story from beginning to end by utilizing the catalogue of his music and show the essence of the true man behind all the glitter and flash everyone knew him for.

What are some of the most surprising things about him you discovered while doing research on his life?

While researching his life, I was surprised of how deep the Church sound and groove was ingrained into his music. I was inspired to know that even though he was ailing from the AIDS epidemic, he still wanted to be out and about and seen in the Pride parade in San Francisco being pushed in a wheelchair. He did so much to let people know that they survive anything if they say focused and driven to be themselves. His strength surprised me and I’m grateful to portray his life Off-Broadway this fall in NYC.

What was the response to the show when you performed it before?

People were crying, dancing, singing along and getting their lives. It was incredible to bring back a time to people when they were free with no dividers. The great thing about the new incarnation is that we’re able to recreate this and bring people into Sylvester’s world. I can’t wait to feel that again and to have everyone dance in the disco heat from what Kendrell and I have created from the ground up.

What do you want the audience to think about Sylvester when they leave your show?

People will leave elated, happy and excited they took the time to experience the passion of this fantastic man. They will also leave dancing and singing the songs they all knew, as well as be inspired to continue living their best lives to the fullest everyday…just like Sylvester did.

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15 Comments

I remember seeing Sylvester on American Bandstand with the soon to be “Weather Girls” and falling in love with disco at the ripe old age of 13. I LOVED Sylvester. He truly did make me feel Mighty Real. I started dancing in my living room and have not stopped since. Sylvester was waaaay ahead of his time. If only he had survived…..

August 3, 2014 at 9:08am

YouGoGurl

I knew Sylvester, his producer, and many of the players back in my pre-AIDS, I-Beam Sunday tea-dance days. Anthony Wayne and the ‘girls” need to add some flesh to them bones – lots of flesh. I still listen to Sylvester’s music, and miss him. He’s was a funny, funny and super talented guy — and that white fur he used to wear to the bars! Still makes me chuckle.

August 3, 2014 at 12:08pm

MarionPaige

A few years ago, I was looking at a couple of messageboards on DANCE MUSIC patronized mostly by gay men. Sylvester’s name did not come up once. Not Once. I just always wondered how the fuck there could be all of these queens on these boards who were convinced that they were dance music experts (what they called House at the time) on not one of the idiots had ever heard of Sylvester? The current use of the term EDM seems to cement the fact that Dance music is music that people dance to (that labels are so much bs)..

With the renewed interest in Patrick Cowley, I guess that attention had to eventually extend to Sylvester.

August 3, 2014 at 3:08pm

DarSco

i LOVED do you wanna funk when i was a little LITTLE boy, dancing with my aunt. I liked Sylvester ever since i was little, someone like you is a good one too!

August 3, 2014 at 4:08pm

MarionPaige

Tony Johnston

Sylvester was unapologetic about being what we would call trans today (not just gay). He considered himself a transvestite (the term they used back then). He was also overweight, so why is he being played by a toned twink? Where are the wigs and gowns? Sylvester did more than just makeup. Sorry but this seems like a tamed “more acceptable” version of the sylvester I remember seeing. A big part of his message was about refusing to change his image, yet it seems this so called tribute does just that. SMH

August 3, 2014 at 5:08pm

litper

Stop force feeding us your trans propaganda!

August 3, 2014 at 6:08pm

DerekR

pressuredrop

Big fan of dance music, and although I can’t exactly say it’s *sad* to see the styles change over time, since that is the name of the game, I do think it’s unfair that the genre has been largely whitewashed and straightwashed over the last 3-4 decades. Nice to see that some people haven’t forgotten the origins of the genre.

August 3, 2014 at 7:08pm

odawg

@litper: Get a life or a hobby! You have a choice to NOT come to this site.

August 4, 2014 at 12:08am

asby

two tons of fun look rather skinny

August 4, 2014 at 2:08am

michael mellor

Sylvester was a class act and very talented. There hasn’t been anybody like him since. Ru Paul? Sorry, Ru, but you’re just not in his league.

August 4, 2014 at 5:08am

michael mellor

MarionPage,

Unfortunately, in the last 30 years, gay men have been more interested in dance songs from no-talent females like Britney and Madonna who could never sing a song live like Sylvester.

Gay men have become as fake as the miming females they admire.

August 4, 2014 at 5:08am

MarionPaige

Frankie Knuckles may have been a very nice person but, can you fucking believe the obituaries when he died? Frankie Knuckles, according to the obits, revolutionize danced music (by mostly playing other people’s records) and, meanwhile, Sylvester and Patrick Cowley are just aids victims.

MrKev

@michael mellor: Thank you! You are absolutely correct. It’s very sad and disturbing how gay men ignore their own, yet worship talentless straight people. Sylvester was a REAL trailblazer, being openly gay in a time where it was a very brave and risky thing to do, and yet nobody gives him any credit.